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Written Answers
Police (Riot Equipment)
8 APRIL 1982
Mr. Meacher asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amounts of CS gas and plastic or rubber bullets have been distributed to the police; and what quantities of each are now held by each of the 43 police forces.
Mr. Mayhew: Some 5,000 baton rounds and 1,000 CS projectiles of a type suitable for use in public disturbances though only as a last resort, are held in police forces. We do not think that it would be appropriate to give details of the distribution of this equipment.
Community Policing
Mr. Meacher asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the new or additional initiatives taken by each of the 43 police forces to develop community policing over the last year.
Mr. Mayhew: The information is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Falkland Islanders
Mr. Grimond asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will propose amending the British Nationality Act to ensure that when the Act comes into operation the Falkland Islanders remain full British citizens.
Mr. Raison: It is estimated that almost all the Falkland Islanders are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. The majority also have the right of abode and will become British citizens on commencement of the British Nationality Act 1981. No Falkland Islander, whether he has the right of abode or not, will have any difficulty over admission to this country.
My right hon. Friend has no plans for amending legislation but will keep the matter under review.
Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an assurance that any resident of the Falkland Islands who was either born in the United Kingdom or whose parents were born in the United Kingdom will be allowed to emigrate and settle in the United Kingdom if they so desire.
Mr. Raison: Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies by birth in this country or by descent from a parent born here are exempt from immigration control, have the right of abode, and are free to enter and to settle in the United Kingdom if they wish.
Mr. Teddy Taylor asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the residents of the Falkland Islands are classified as British dependent territories citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981; if British dependent territories citizens may settle and seek employment without delay or screening in the United Kingdom under the immigration rules; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Whitelaw: Under the British Nationality Act 1981 all citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies connected with the Falkland Islands will become British dependent territories citizens and approximately 1,400 will also become British citizens. When the Act comes into operation, which I expect to be on 1 January 1983,
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admission to the United Kingdom of citizens of the British dependent territories will be subject to the same requirements of the immigration rules as presently apply to non-patrial citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. However, I have made it clear that in the present circumstances no Falkland Islander, whether he has the right of abode or not, will have any difficulty over admission to this country; Falkland Islanders will be admitted for settlement and there will thus be no restriction on their taking employment.
Prison Governors
Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is Government policy so far on the optimum length of service in any one post of prison governor.
Mr. Whitelaw: There is no optimum length of service in any one post of prison governor. Regular moves to different types of establishments are an essential part of career development for the grade but the overriding factor in determining moves must be the operational needs of the service.
Gartree Prison
Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the provision of a means of secondary access for D wing in Her Majesty's prison, Gartree was not carried out two years ago when the wing was being refurbished.
Mr. Mayhew: The provison of secondary access for D wing had not been agreed two years ago and consequently there were no detailed drawings, contract and financial provision.
Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the work on C wing at Her Majesty's prison, Gartree to be completed; and if this will include the provision of a secondary access.
Mr. Mayhew: All work, including the secondary access, should be complete by March 1983.
Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why seven prison governors have been appointed to Her Majesty's prison, Gartree in the last 13 years; and whether changes of such frequency were carried out on the basis of any fixed policy.
Mr. Whitelaw: It is policy to have continuity at senior management level at all establishments but moves for career, promotion and operational reasons have to take place and it is not possible to plan on the basis of fixed tenures for particular posts.
Mr. Farr asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many life prisoners it is intended will be accommodated at Her Majesty's prison Gartree; and what proportion life prisoners will be of the total of prisoners accommodated therein.
Mr. Mayhew: Gartree is to be developed as a third main centre for life sentence prisoners in the early assessment stage of their sentence, in which work it will be supplementing the role of Wormwood Scrubs and Wakefield. The build-up will be gradual as medical and other facilities have to be provided, and will be in step with the increase in the overall population of the prison. It is
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